Verizon Tells FCC PCS Refarming Won't Negate AWS Need

Verizon Wireless told the Federal Communications Commission in a letter filed last week that it doesn't believe refarming its PCS spectrum (1900MHz) for use with its LTE network will substitute the need for more spectrum. "PCS refarming alone cannot offset the increasing capacity constraints on the company’s LTE network, and thus is not a substitute for additional AWS spectrum," said Verizon. Verizon hopes to convince the FCC that its proposed purchase of 122 AWS spectrum licenses from a consortium of cable companies is necessary. Verizon has met with resistance from competitors ranging from T-Mobile USA to MetroPCS and the Rural Carrier Association. In its letter to the FCC, however, Verizon did say that it plans to do some refarming of its PCS spectrum for use with LTE. It warned, however, that this effort would "be a supplement to, rather than an alternative for, additional AWS spectrum." Verizon said it needs to maintain a minimum 5 x 5MHz channel to maintain current service levels of its CDMA 3G network.